Week 2 Newsletter

This is the newsletter for our second week.....

Fall 2010 Weight Loss Challenge

Issue 3

Good morning everyone!

Today is our second weigh-in. I hope we're seeing less of each other this week!

If anyone is interested in joining 24Hour Fitness remember to join through BCBS. The fee is only $29 per month—no contract! This includes Super Sport clubs. (Lewisville Main Street is a Sport club; Castle Hills at 121 and Main/Josey is a Super Sport club.) You can also go to the 24Hour Fitness website and check-out the class schedule, take a tour of the gym, and get a free 7-day pass to see if you like the gym before signing up.

Also, Weight Watchers is running a special for a free month if you use the monthly pass option.

Cooking Shortcuts

• To save time, buy frozen chopped onions and/or frozen seasoning mixes (onion,celery, bell pepper). If you are making a large pot of soup, beans or stew just dump the bag into the pot!

• Keep frozen vegetables and frozen stir-fry on hand for quick meals or for another version of last night's meal.

• Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and it is already seasoned. To use in a dish, remove the meat from the bone while the chicken is warm or re-heat in the microwave then remove the meat from the bone.

• Make soups in large batches (use that slow-cooker) and freeze individual portions.

• Casseroles can be assembled and frozen before baking. Just thaw in the fridge for 24hrs before cooking.

• Peel and freeze overripe bananas and use in smoothies and muffins.

• Muffins and pancakes can also be frozen for quick breakfasts.

Today's Recipes

Zero POINTS® Value Slow Cooker Soup

Course: soups
POINTS® Value: 0
Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 300 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Works with Simply Filling

Here's an Italian-spin on our famous zero POINTS® value soup. We made it in a slow cooker but it can be simmered on the stove top just as well.

Ingredients

10 oz spinach, baby leaves

2 medium carrot(s), chopped

2 medium celery, ribs, chopped

1 large onion(s), chopped

1 medium garlic clove(s), minced

4 cup(s) vegetable broth

28 oz canned diced tomatoes

2 piece(s) bay leaf

1 Tbsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker; cover and cook on high power for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves, stir and serve. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

© 2010 Weight Watchers International, Inc. © 2010 WeightWatchers.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
WEIGHT WATCHERS and POINTS are the registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and are used under license by WeightWatchers.com, Inc.

Banana-Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

3 medium very ripe bananas

1 eggs

1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk or 1/3 cup milk

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup granulated sugar (or 1/4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend)

1/2 cup brown sugar (or 1/4 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend)

1/2 cup quick oats

1 1/2 cups flour (or equal amounts white flour and whole wheat pastry flour)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 -3 tablespoons chocolate chips (may use more)

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional—if you like nuts, add more)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Lightly coat 12 muffin tin liners with cooking spray and place in muffin tin.

2. In large bowl, mash bananas with fork.

3. Whisk in egg, milk, applesauce, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.

4. In separate bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.

5. Add flour mixture to banana mixture and combine well.

6. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

7. Spoon equal amounts of batter into 12 muffin cups.

8. Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

9. Allow to cool slightly in pan, then remove to wire rack.

Nutrition: Calories 167.1 , Total Fat 1.2g , Dietary Fiber 1.2g ,Sodium 316.0mg, Protein 2.7gm

© 2010 Food.com. All Rights Reserved. http://www.food.com/19424